"We're using this year's events as an opportunity to introspect as communicators on how we can best leverage on each other's strengths whether it's through media platforms, technology and tools to enhance communication efforts on the coronavirus and the vaccine rollout in the continent, how to curb misrepresentation and fake news," says Nelisa Ngqulana, managing director of PR Trends ZA.

"This year's activities will bring together communicators, press attaches and the media in conversation, workshops and webinars. It is all aimed at fostering collaboration and ensuring that we take the lead in shaping the narrative on Africa through informed, genuine and nuanced stories. The programme is inspired by the African Union's declaration of 2021 as the 'The AU Year of the Arts, Culture And Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want'," adds Ngqulana. 

The programme highlights include:
  • an address from the director-general of GCIS
  •  a free Africa Day Tour at Freedom Park, Pretoria
  • workshops and presentation with organisations, Twitter policies and data insights for African markets
  • panel discussions including the business of communications and investing for impact, and
  • webinars on African Literacy, Southern African development community communications co-ordination and Pan Africanism and African Liberation in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Africa Communications Week aims to convene communications leaders from various backgrounds across the world, to critically assess the role of communications in Africa’s socio-economic development.

The South African edition further encourages communicators across the sectors to use this annual gathering as an opportunity to learn, reflect and network as an industry. The South African edition has been running since 2018.

There are limited tickets for the physical events at Freedom Park, Pretoria. Individuals are encouraged to book tickets via Quicket. All events will be live-streamed on social media platforms. 

For more information, visit www.prtrendsza.com. You can also follow PR Trends ZA on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.